The B.C. government says it can’t risk sending fire crews to the emergency zone in Fort McMurray because there are too many blazes to fight in our own province.

Speaking at the B.C. legislature, Forests Minister Steve Thomson said it will send more than 100 pumps and “significant lengths” of fire hoses to aid the fight to save homes in the area, but won’t send people.

More than 1,600 structures have been destroyed by raging wildfires in the Alberta town, and officials say the winds and hot weather could cause flare-ups today.

More than 80,000 people have already fled the region, and Alberta has requested firefighting assistance from all provinces where fire conditions are relatively stable.

But Thomson said the wildfires raging in B.C.’s Peace region are of particular concern, and the province can’t risk deploying firefighters it may soon require.

“We will work to provide whatever assistance we can within our resource capacity that we have. You should also know we are challenged in that respect,” Thomson told reporters.

“We’ll be there for Alberta. They understand the challenges we are facing.”

Currently, there are 48 fires in B.C.’s Peace region, and four evacuation alerts.

A total of 85 fires are burning in British Columbia right now, according to the fire service.

Christy Clark says B.C. will be responsible for fighting the Siphon Creek fire that is currently just six kilometres away from the B.C.-Alberta border, even if it crosses into Alberta.

“What Alberta has asked of us is that we focus on trying to contain the fires that are in British Columbia,” Clark told reporters.

“What they really need B.C. to do is contain the fires in our own borders so they don’t jump the border.”

Calling Alberta our province’s “closest friend,” Clark said B.C. will also provide social assistance support if necessary.

“We want to be there to support them,” she said. “We are so busy with 48 fires right now… that we just don’t really have any more resources to assist in Alberta.”

Coulson Flying Tankers, based in Port Alberni, said in a Facebook post it is sending one of its Sikorsky S-61 crafts to help the crews in Fort McMurray.

Owner Wayne Coulson said the company has been contracted by the Alberta government and the plane is on its way. He said the company’s second firefighting aircraft returns from Australia next week, and will be sent to Alberta if needed.